Youngsters at Airedale Academy are reversing the cycle of anti-social behaviour by spending their break times working up a sweat.

Castleford neighbourhood policing team (NPT) has used £700 seized from criminals using the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to buy new exercise bikes for students.

Pupils trained to complete a sponsored bike ride for Children in Need last year which PC Richard Baker said saw bad behaviour drop in school.

PC Baker, NPT liaison officer for the school, said: “Training gave students a focus, it cut down bad behaviour during lunch times and created a positive vibe. So we got money through POCA to fund these bikes – it’s great to give money taken from criminals back to the community and see it do some good.”

Cycling challenges will be set in school to encourage students to use the bike and stay out of trouble between classes.